NEXT STEPS
In anticipation of this letter grade and percent passing results, Salt River Schools leaders have already been working to implement improvement plans to ensure better student achievement and success in the future, said Superintendent Dr. Louis Laffitte, Jr.

The Division recently relaunched its Curriculum and Instruction department, which is in the process of removing outdated curriculum from our schools and replacing it with curriculum aligned with state and national standards to meet appropriate levels of academic rigor. Soon, students and parents will see new textbooks and materials used in classrooms across the Division.

Additionally, the Curriculum and Instruction department holds ongoing, Division-wide professional learning experiences for instructional staff, including administrators, teachers, aides and tutors, said Robert Gray, the new Director of Curriculum and Instruction.

“The focus has been on something known as the Danielson Framework for Teaching, a well-respected and researched method of how to think about the whole process of teaching,” said Robert Gray, the new Director of Curriculum and Instruction. “Many teachers report the training is enjoyable and helpful.”

Staff professional development also highlights how to understand and use student data from both AzMERIT and the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) to personalize and enhance every student’s classroom experience to meet individual student needs.

To this end, the Curriculum and Instruction team has increased the number of tutors available to support Community youth of all ages who attend Salt River Schools, as well as schools in surrounding districts.

STUDENT BUY-IN
“One of the challenges educators everywhere face is how to get student buy-in when it comes to their own academic achievement. To that end, we’re developing ‘student portfolios,’ a new concept here meant to engage student interest and ownership for things like grades, tests, college and career readiness and goal setting,” said new SRHS Principal Brian Mabb.

Mabb said the portfolios will be something useful to students, whether they’re applying for a job or a college scholarship.

“We’d also like the portfolios to be something the students eventually reach for when people ask how they’re doing in school, so they can brag a little, not just to parents, but the entire Community,” Mabb continued. “When there’s buy-in from students—when we show them that they are meeting the expectations of not just their parents or the Community, but themselves—we will see growth and, more importantly, confidence.”

PARENT ENGAGEMENT KEY
Laffitte urged parents and guardians to engage on multiple levels with their students' schools and classrooms by attending upcoming parent-teacher conferences, participating in events and activities and volunteering. Parents are encouraged to discuss their child’s AzMERIT results with teachers and check-in about their child’s academic progress anytime.

“It’s important to remember that AzMERIT results are just one method of assessing student growth and proficiency,” Laffitte said. “At Salt River Schools, we prioritize not just reading and math, but science, social studies and culture and language, among other academic pursuits.”